Serving valve for continuous freezers



March 1963 c. A. GORYCHKA ET AL 3,081,920

SERVING VALVE FOR CONTINUOUS FREEZERS Filed March 27, 1961 0 4 guvvgxfgns ar cry a y Herman J. Wieclg M,

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3 081,920 SERVING VALVE FOR CONTINUOUS FREEZERS Carl A. Gorychka and Herman J. Wieck, Roclrton, Ill., assignors to Louis A. M. Phelan Filed Mar. 27, 1961, Ser. No. 98,474 4 Claims. (Cl. 222-509) This invention relates in general to freezers for soft ice cream and the like, from which the finished product is drawn off into cups or other containers by means of a serving valve located at the discharge end of the freezer. More specifically, the present invention relates to an improved serving valve for such a freezer.

In operation of freezers of the above type, the valve must be operated frequently and many times during the day, and it is important that it can be actuated easily, quickly, and with a simple movement on the part of the operator from any position adjacent the front end of the freezer. For maximum efiiciency, the operator should be able to actuate the valve even though he may be holding cups in both of his hands.

The laws relating to sanitary requirements of such equipment are strict, and it is essential that equipment of this type can be readily and completely disassembled, cleaned, and then reassembled. On the other hand, the valve should positively lock, preferably be self-locking, prevent dripping, and not accidentally become dislodged.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a freezer serving valve which has the above-mentioned advantages and desirable characteristics;

More specifically, the invention provides a freezer serving valve which can be operated by a simple, single motion, from various positions in front of the freezer, equally well by either hand of the operator and regardless of whether or not the operator may have his operating hand filled with cups.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a serving valve of the above type, which can be readily and completely disassembled or assembled but which is self-locking and will not accidentally become dislodged even though it may be carelessly or hurriedly actuated.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear hereinafter as this disclosure progresses, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a serving valve as used on the front cover of a freezer, and made in accordance with the present invention, and showing it in the closed position;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective exploded view of the device shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a freezer utilizing the present invention, the view being partially in section and with parts broken away, and showing the valve in the open position;

FIGURE 4 is a horizontal cross sectional view taken on line 44 of FIGURE 3, but on an enlarged scale;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing the position of the handle and plunger to which they have been moved as a preliminary step in disassembling the valve, and

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary plan view showing the handle swung free of the slot which it occupies when in the normal position.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the serving valve has been shown as attached to the front cover C of a cylindrical freezer R, the cover having a serving opening 1 in the lowermost portion thereof.

A large central hub 2 is secured to the inside of the cover and has a retarder 3 extending therefrom and well into the freezing cylinder. If a more complete description of the cover, retarder, or freezing cylinder is deemed necessary, or desirable, reference may be had to the US. Patents No. 2,964,218, issued December 13, 1960, or 2,947,155, issued August 2, 1960. It is believed sufiicient to say for purposes of this disclosure, however, that the fresh mix feed is fed generally forwardly in the cylinder where it is ultimately discharged through the opening 1. A beater 4 rotates within the cylinder and acts to force the product toward the discharge valve. Such a beater may be of the type shown in the U.S. Patent No. 2,815,557, issued October 22, 1957, and reference may be had to that patent if further description of the structure or junction of the beater is thought to be necessary.

A T-shaped fitting F is secured to the front lower side of the cover and includes a horizontal tubular portion 6 which defines the opening 1 and extends through the cover to communicate with the interior of the cylinder. The fitting F also includes a vertically disposed tube 7 which is in communication intermediate its length with the horizontal tubular portion 6. The tube 7 has a smooth bore 7a of uniformdimension throughout its length so as to form a sealing fit with a plunger 10. The upper part 7b of tube 7 is of reduced external diameter and forms a shoulder 8 therewith. A locking button 9 is formed on one side of the reduced portion.

The plunger 10 is of such a diameter that it forms a sliding and sealing fit with the vertical bore 7a. When this plunger is in the lower position it serves to block or close the discharge opening 1 and when raised sufiiciently it exposes the opening to permit the product to flow out of the lower and vertical tube 7.

Pins 12 and 13 extend from opposite sides of the upper portion of the plunger and are adapted to be embraced by the bifurcated end 14 of the handle 15. The arms of this bifurcated end each contain an open ended slot 16 which slides over its pin so that the handle end embraces the upper portion of the plunger ad is pivotally connected thereto.

A handle mounting collar or bracket 18 has a bore 19 which is adapted to be rotatably mounted on the reduced diameter portion 715 of the vertical tube 7 and the collar rests on shoulder 8. This bracket. has an internal and vertically disposed groove 20 formed in the bore 19 which registers with the button 9 only when the bracket is turned in one particular position relative thereto, namely, to the right as viewed from the front of the machine, and as shown in FIGURES 1-4. Thus, the bracket can be removed from the tube 7 only when it is turned completely to the right so that the button is in alignment with the groove. A counterbore 21 is formed at the upper end of bore 19, which counterbore defines a recess for the button 9 when the collar 18 is oscillated in use.

At the forward end of the bracket there is an upstand ing plate-like portion in which is formed a generally horizontal disposed key-hole opening 22 having an entry slot 23 and an enlarged slot 24. It will be noted that the height of this slot 24 is greater than the height of the entry slot 23. An intermediate or rod portion 26 of the handle is of such size that when it is positioned horizontally, that is normally to the plate-like portion 22, it slides freely in the entry slot. In operation, the handle is loacted in the slot 24 and can swing in vertical direction therein, but cannot he accidentally dislodged because it cannot enter the entry slot 23 unless it is in a certain position relative thereto. That is, the handle can be removed from the bracket only when the intermediate part 26 of the handle has been lifted into horizontal alignment with the entry slot.

When the unit is assembled, the plunger is raised to discharge the product simply by pushing downwardly on the outer end of the handle. When the handle is thus moved vertically, the pins 12 and 13 slide relative to and in their respective slots 16 to accommodate the ar-cuate movement of the handle in respect to the straight line vertical movement of the plunger.

The entire bracket, handle, and plunger can swing horizontally in an arc of approximately 180 from one side or the other as a unit because of its swivel mounting on the tube 7.

Resum The handle is easily operated from any one of a number of operator positions in front of the freezer, and the operator can actuate the handle with either hand. As the operation of the handle is accomplished simply by a downward movement of the outer end of the handle, this can be accomplished even though the operator may be holding a cup in both hands. Good operating leverage is provided by the relatively long handle portion which extends outwardly beyond the bracket.

The valve plunger is of sufficient weight that it quickly returns to the closed position by gravity, during which return it serves to thoroughly wipe the vertical bore completely clean of any product.

The vertical bore has no shoulder or other obstruction and therefore can be manufactured with a very close tolerance in respect to the plunger for complete sealing action therebetween.

By means of the present invention, it will now be appreelated that the valve is self-locking and event though it may be swung rapidly from side to side, operated quickly by a simple downward movement, and then returned to the closed position by rather violent dropping of the plunger, the handle will not become dislodged.

In order to disassemble'the handle, plunger, and bracket, it is necessary first to push the handle downwardly to a point where the intermediate portion of the handle is in alignment with the entry slot 23. In order to secure complete alignment, it is then necessary to elevate the rod slightly within the slot 24, as shown in FIGURE 5. When this complete alignment has been effected, the rod is swung clockwise as viewed in FIGURE 6 where it is clear of the slot 23. At this time, the bifurcated end of the handle is then slipped from the pins thereby completely freeing the handle. The plunger can then be lifted from the tube 7 and finally the mounting bracket can be lifted 'off the upper end of the tube.

Each of the disassembled parts can be readily and thoroughly cleaned and the entire unit can be quickly reassembled.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as being within the scope of the following 7 claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention:

We claim:

1. In a freezer having a discharge end with an opening adjacent the bottom thereof and through which a finished product can be discharged; a serving valve comprising a generally vertically disposed tube in product receiving communication with said opening, a plunger vertically shiftable in said tube between a lower position in which said opening is blocked by said plunger and an upper position in which said opening is in communication with said tube, a bracket having a vertical bore therethrough by which it is slipped over and thereby rotatably mounted on said tube for swinging in a generally horizontal direction, said bracket having an open-ended opening, and a handle extending through said opening and thereby pivotally mounted intermediate its length on said bracket, said handle being removable from said bracket through said open-ended opening, said handle having an inner end pivotally connected with said plunger and also having an outer end whereby downward movement of the latter causes vertical pivoting of said handle about said bracket and consequent raising of said plunger.

2. In a freezer having a discharge end with an opening adjacent the bottom thereof and through which a finished product can be discharged; a serving valve comprising a generally vertically disposed tube in product receiving communication with said opening, a plunger vertically shiftable in said tube between a lower position in which said opening is blocked by said plunger and an upper position in which said opening is in communication with said tube, a bracket mounted on said tube for swinging in a generally horizontal direction and having an upstanding portion, said upstanding portion having a key-hole opening including a generally horizontal and open-ended entry slot which terminates in an enlarged slot, and a handle extending through and pivotally mounted intermediate its length on said bracket and in said enlarged slot, said handle adapted to be withdrawn laterally from said entry slot only when in general horizontal alignment therewith, said handle also having an inner end pivotally connected with said plunger, said handle also having an outer end whereby downward movement of the latter causes said handle to pivot on said bracket and thereby raise said plunger.

3. A serving valve for a freezer having a discharge end with an opening comprising a generally vertically disposed tube adapted to be in product receiving communication with said freezer, a plunger vertically shiftable in said tube between a lower position in which said freezer is blocked by said plunger and an upper position in which said opening is in communication with said tube, a bracket mounted on said tube for swinging in a generally horizontal direction, said bracket having an open-ended opening, and a handle extending through said opening and thereby pivotally mounted intermediate its length on said bracket, said handle being removable from said bracket through said open-ended opening, said handle having an inner end pivotally connected with said plunger and also having an outer end whereby downward movement of the latter causes vertical pivoting of said handle about said bracket and consequently raising of said plunger.

4. A serving valve for a freezer comprising a generally vertically disposed tube adapted to be in product receiving communication with said freezer, a plunger vertically shiftable in said tube between a lower position in which 7 said freezer is blocked by said plunger and an upper position in which said freezer is in communication with said tube, a bracket mounted on said tube for swinging in a generally horizontal direction and having a key-hole opening including a generally horizontal and open-ended entry slot which terminates in an enlarged slot, and a handle extending through and pivotally mounted intermediate its length on said bracket and in said enlarged slot, said handle. adapted to .be drawn laterally from .said entry slot only when in general horizontal alignment therewith, said handle also having an inner end pivotally connected with said plunger, said handle also having an outer end whereby downward movement of the latter causes said handle to pivot on said bracket and thereby raise said plunger.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,047,131 Riche July7, 1936 2,087,223 Thompson July 13, 1937 2,959,391 Rapaport Nov. 8, 1960 

1. IN A FREEZER HAVING A DISCHARGE END WITH AN OPENING ADJACENT THE BOTTOM THEREOF AND THROUGH WHICH A FINISHED PRODUCT CAN BE DISCHARGED; A SERVING VALVE COMPRISING A GENERALLY VERTICALLY DISPOSED TUBE IN PRODUCT RECEIVING COMMUNICATION WITH SAID OPENING, A PLUNGER VERTICALLY SHIFTABLE IN SAID TUBE BETWEEN A LOWER POSITION IN WHICH SAID OPENING IS BLOCKED BY SAID PLUNGER AND AN UPPER POSITION IN WHICH SAID OPENING IS IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID TUBE, A BRACKET HAVING A VERTICAL BORE THERETHROUGH BY WHICH IT IS SLIPPED OVER AND THEREBY ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID TUBE FOR SWINGING IN A GENERALLY HORIZONTAL DIRECTION, SAID BRACKET HAVING AN OPEN-ENDED OPENING, AND A HANDLE EXTENDING THROUGH SAID OPENING AND THEREBY PIVOTALLY MOUNTED INTERMEDIATE ITS LENGTH ON SAID BRACKET, SAID HANDLE BEING REMOVABLE FROM SAID BRACKET THROUGH SAID OPEN-ENDED OPENING, SAID HANDLE HAVING AN INNER END PIVOTALLY CONNECTED WITH SAID PLUNGER AND ALSO HAVING AN OUTER END WHEREBY DOWNWARD MOVEMENT OF THE LATTER CAUSES VERTICAL PIVOTING OF SAID HANDLE ABOUT SAID BRACKET AND CONSEQUENT RAISING OF SAID PLUNGER. 